Languages & Educational Policy – British Period

Languages & Educational Policy

• Initially the British had no interest in Indian’s Education.
• The study of Ancient text still continued in Arab, Persia & Sanskrit
• In 1781 Warren Hastings –established a Madrassa in Calcutta to encourage the study of Muslim Laws.
• In 1791 Sanskrit college at Banaras was established by Jonathan Duncan for understanding of the laws, literature and religion of the Hindus.
• At the time of 19^th century 180,000 traditional learning institutions were in Bengal alone and similar in all provinces.

 Dual Policy on Indian’s education

1. Discourage the prevalent system of Oriental Education (Traditional Education).
2. Gave important to western education & English language.

• 1813 Charter Act allotted 1 lakh rupee /year for education. Though the Act allowed this but due to continuous debate in British parliament, ever single penny spends for the education after 20 years of enactment.

2 groups

1. Orientalist – supported for the promotion of oriental subject through Indian Language.
2. Anglicists – supported for Western Sciences and Literacy in the medium of English.

• In 1828 Lord William Bentinck argues that the education should be in English medium.
• He decided to use the money sanctioned by Charter Act 1833.
• Medical college at Calcutta & Elphinstone College at Bombay was established during his period.
• In 1835 a 10 member of General committee of public Instructions commonly known as Macaulay Education Committee divided into 2 equal groups.
• One group advocated for Oriental education and Other five including chairman Lord Macaulay were in favour of adopting English as the medium of public instruction.
• On 2^nd Feb, 1835 Lord Macaulay announced his famous Minute advocating the Anglicist point of view.
• On 7^th March 1835 Bentinck passed the resolution based on the recommendation of Macaulay Committee. Hence forth the government fund would be utilized for the promotion of Western Literature & sciences through the medium of English language.
• He was succeeded by Lord Metcalfe (1835-1836). During his period new press law was passed
• A committee was setup in 1854 under the chairmanship of Sir Charles Wood during the period of Lord Dalhousie.
• He played an important role in spreading English learning and female education in India
• Wood suggested that primary schools must adopt vernacular languages, high schools must adopt Anglo-vernacular language and at college-level English should be the medium of education.
• He introduced several reforms in India and it is called as Intellectual Charter of India and also called as Magna Carta of English Education.
• Provide comprehensive scheme of education in Primary, Secondary & College level in the model of London University.
• He rejected Downward Filtration theory. Downward filtration in education means coming down of Education from Top to bottom that is from the higher class of the people to the common people. This system failed in India because the educated higher caste people did not like the lower caste people to be educated.
• Public Instruction was setup in every province.
• Training instructions for Training Teachers were established.
• Recommended Grants in aid to encourage private enterprises to establish more school.
• 1857 University of Calcutta, Bombay & madras was established.
• Engineering college at Rurkee (Uttarkhand) was established.
• System of Grant to affiliate schools & colleges also introduced.

Social Policies & Legislation

• Until 1813 the British followed policy of Nonintervention in religious, social & culture of Indians.
• Initially they were not interested in social reforms and they also generate the feeling of inferiority complex among Indians by criticizing their customs & traditions.
• After the Industrial Revolution they want to change India became a huge market for their goods and it required modernization of Indian society.
• The launching of Social and Religious Movements in Mid-19^th century attracted the EIC towards the social evils of India.
• The impact of Newspaper also play important role which push British to look into the social evils.
• Some of the British administrators like Lord William Bentinck had personal interest in these reforms.